FBI Raids Georgia Plant at Fault in Salmonella Outbreak

On Monday, February 9, 2009, agents from the FBI raided the Blakeley, Georgia peanut processing plant linked to the nationwide salmonella outbreak that has caused one of the largest product recalls in U.S. history. The FBI also raided the Lynchburg, Virginia headquarters of the Peanut Corporation of America, the company that owns and operated the Blakeley plant. Monday's searches come three days after FDA investigators said Peanut Corp. knowingly shipped salmonella-laced products from its Georgia plant after tests showed the products were contaminated. Federal law forbids producing or shipping foods under conditions that could make it harmful to consumers' health.